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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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  #1  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Funny, I just wrote a detailed message...then went back to edit a small error and the whole message was deleted. Interesting.

I'm not re-typing the whole thing over....so quickly, here are a couple ideas:

Springs, front and rear. To not do this is a safety issue, IMO.

Seat. I can't see getting too far on the stock seat.

Tank. Bigger please. At least 5 US gal.

Do a longish test ride in the desert fully loaded in deep sand, mud et al.
See how you do with the bikes. Now imagine doing 300 kms. of the bad stuff.

Can you break the bead on the rear tire? Using what?


Best.
Hey there.
Don't know much about the springs. They seemed fine on the test ride. If you're really concerned send me some better ones and I'll fit them.

Got a Dromedary bladder for fuel. This is 10 L giving a total of 23 L I'm confident this should be enough, according to others who have ridden in the areas we are planning to go. We're not afraid to take local advice though, and if locals tell us that there's no gas available we need to we'll buy some jerry cans on the road.

We've got a bit of sheepskin for the seat. Done several 500 km days on the DR without complaint. What's more to say that we're not going to get far with the stock seat is plain rude. We're using the stock seat and we're going to do 15,000 ks.

I'm sure its going to be tough in the mud and sand. Thats part of the challenge. A guy has ridden a gold wing across Russia, and another guy who I know personally has taken a yamaha FJR, there's also the 2 actors who used big BMWs. I'n not saying it won't be tough, I'm sure we'll make it.

I break the bead using the other bike's side stand. Done this many times.

Thanks for your useful tips. If you've got any more I'd love to hear them.
Mark.
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  #2  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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What size sprockets are you running?

Maybe I missed it, but something like JB Weld for fixing a holed case might be good.
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  #3  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post
What size sprockets are you running?

Maybe I missed it, but something like JB Weld for fixing a holed case might be good.
Hey there, got 2 sprockets. Standard gearing for the road and one with fewer teeth for when the going gets tough.

We've got some Kneed-it for holed cases etc. It's a hard epoxy putty, sounds very similar to JB Weld. Can be used on gas tanks and radiators too.

Cheers.
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  #4  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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Fuel Filters
I like the clear-cased paper filters that are used on lawn equip.
IMO, much better than the little rock element sifting filters.

You guys have thought this out well.
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  #5  
Old 11 Oct 2007
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gas filters
I like the clear-cased paper filters that are used on lawn equip.
IMO, much better than the little rock element sifting filters.

You guys have thought this out well.

Funny this was mentioned, I put on one of the clear-case filters on my KLX a few months back after thinking that those little stone filters probably didn't work with a flip. Yesterday I was in Guadalajara at the Suzuki dealer and I was picking up an extra gas filter for my took kit when I ran into 4 Gringos on KLRs. One of the KLRs was broken down with a stuck float in the carb and the mechanic was doing the repair. The bikes were stock '07 I think with no filter other than the screen in the petcock tank. I think the little 15 peso paper filter might have prevented the repair incident.

The guys were on their way to Argentina and I suggested that they put these gas filters on their bikes but they did not seem interested. They also still had the stock sub frame bolts and stock doo-hickey. I hope they make, that's a long way down there and back.

I've been on the fence between the KLR and the DR and all of the good advice in this thread has me leaning to the Suzook again.
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  #6  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by bartman10 View Post
Hey there.
Don't know much about the springs. They seemed fine on the test ride. If you're really concerned send me some better ones and I'll fit them.
You won't be needing them. I'm sure you can simply ride 'round it. If they were fine on your test ride then I guess you're good to go! Sounds like you've got all this suspension stuff under control.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bartman10 View Post
Got a Dromedary bladder for fuel. This is 10 L giving a total of 23 L I'm confident this should be enough, according to others who have ridden in the areas we are planning to go. We're not afraid to take local advice though, and if locals tell us that there's no gas available we need to we'll buy some jerry cans on the road.
I'm not familiar with a Dromedary bladder. 23L is 6 US gallons. Should be great. Jerry jugs come in handy. How is this 2.5 gal bladder carried? On the bike? On your back? Does it slosh around at all? Leak?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bartman10 View Post
We've got a bit of sheepskin for the seat. Done several 500 km days on the DR without complaint. What's more to say that we're not going to get far with the stock seat is plain rude. We're using the stock seat and we're going to do 15,000 ks.
Ah, Sheepskin, of course! Sounds like you've got it all sussed out. What a great solution! Now why didn't I think of that before spending good money on a Corbin!

Confidence is good.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bartman10 View Post
I'm sure its going to be tough in the mud and sand. Thats part of the challenge. A guy has ridden a gold wing across Russia, and another guy who I know personally has taken a yamaha FJR, there's also the 2 actors who used big BMWs. I'n not saying it won't be tough, I'm sure we'll make it.
No Doubt.
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  #7  
Old 23 Apr 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post

I'm not familiar with a Dromedary bladder. 23L is 6 US gallons. Should be great. Jerry jugs come in handy. How is this 2.5 gal bladder carried? On the bike? On your back? Does it slosh around at all? Leak?

Hi there, the bladder straps onto the top of the left hand pannier case.. You can see it quite clearly in the middle photo.

The main advantages of a bladder is that they don't slosh at all, becasue there's no air in them, provided you tie it down properly, and they pack down small when you're not using them, which is about 2/3s of the time.

Several members of HU seem to be using them... Had a mate who went around Aussie using one and found it to be fantastic. There's a risk of rupture in a big crash, but a plastic jerry can will rupture too if it hits the deck at speed.

Cheers,

Mark.
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  #8  
Old 29 Apr 2007
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dr650
Hey Batman like the look of your dr. I rode my dominator over here from the UK and just picked up a dr to do the next trip to south america or africa or er can't really decide yet. I have only done a couple of thousand km on my dr so far but can't belive how good it is even loaded down with luggage on rough tracks great choice I think. I down in Timaru if your going for a spin round the country before you leave would be good to catch up cheers richrtw@hotmail.com
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